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Industrial-safety advocates continue to call for tougher chemical storage laws in the aftermath of the Texas fertilizer plant explosion. Rafael Moure-Eraso, chairman of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, suggested a federal mandate that chemical facilities use safer alternatives when possible. But chemical groups note the Department of Homeland Security already sets standards for facilities with large amounts of hazardous chemicals.

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Chemical Safety Board Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso resigned Thursday at the request of President Barack Obama, the White House said. "My wishes are for the continued success and productivity of the board," said Moure-Eraso.

The White House has agreed to ask Chemical Safety Board Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso to resign, sources say. The move follows accusations that Moure-Eraso has failed to properly manage the agency. Moure-Eraso's five-year term was set to end in June.

The House Oversight Committee has asked Chemical Safety Board Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso to resign following a review of the agency's conduct. "The Chemical Safety Board, with its [current] leadership, cannot effectively carry out its important mission," said committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah. Moure-Eraso said he has been working to fix the CSB's management issues.

Facilities that handle hazardous chemicals should have sufficient insurance to cover the worst possible loss events, U.S. Chemical Safety Board Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso said at a Senate hearing on the explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant. Similar testimony was given by Paul Orum of the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters. The facility in West, Texas, carried liability coverage worth $1 million, but the losses from the explosion could hit $230 million, Moure-Eraso said.

Last month's refinery fire is yet another reminder of the importance of diligence and continuous improvement in safety culture, process safety and maintenance at U.S. refineries, writes Rafael Moure-Eraso, chairman of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board. "The oil refinery industry has the resources to do a lot more to enhance process safety and thereby protect workers, neighbors and the country's increasing energy needs," he writes.